[nukkad] Why Celebrate Shivratri?

["P Kumar Gok,RRd" <>]

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      Why Celebrate Shivratri? 
     
      What You Need to Know   

Maha Shivratri, the night of the worship of Shiva, occurs on the 14th night of 
the new moon during the dark half of the month of Phalguna (Feb / March) when 
Hindus offer special prayer to the lord of destruction. 

Here're three reasons to celebrate Shivratri:

1. The absolute formless God, Sadashiv appeared in the form of "Lingodbhav 
Moorti" exactly at midnight on Maha Shivratri. That is why all Shiv devotees 
keep vigil during the night of Shivratri and do "Shivlingam abhishekham" 
(coronation of the phallic idol) at midnight. 

Did You Know? 
God in his manifestation as Vishnu made his appearance as Krishna at Gokul at 
midnight, 180 days after Shivratri, commonly known as Janmashtami. Thus, the 
circle of one year is divided into two by these two auspicious days of the 
Hindu Calendar. 

2. Lord Shiva was married to Devi Parvati on Shivratri. Remember Shiva minus 
Parvati is pure Nirgun Brahman. With his illusive power, (Maya, Parvati) He 
becomes the "Sagun Brahman" for the purpose of the pious devotion of his 
devotees. 

3. It is also believed that on Shivratri, Lord Shiva became Neelkantham by 
swallowing the deadly poison that came up from the ocean during the churning of 
"Kshir Sagar". The poison was so deadly that even a drop in His stomach, which 
represents the universe, would have annihilated the entire world. Hence, He 
held it in His neck, which turned blue due to the effect of poison. Shivratri 
is therefore also a day of thanksgiving to the Lord for protecting us from 
annihilation. 

The 14th shloka of Shivmahimna Stotra says: "O three eyed Lord, when the poison 
came up through the churning of the Ocean by the gods and demons, they were all 
aghast with fear as if the untimely end of all creation was imminent. In your 
kindness, you drank all the poison that still makes your throat blue. O Lord, 
even this blue mark does but increase your glory. What is apparently a blemish 
becomes an ornament in one intent on ridding the world of fear." 



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